Using old crisp packets could slash power bills this autumn in 'easy' win, expert says

A heating expert has told people that with winter closing in there is hack people can juse to improve the heat in homes - and it means not throwing old crisp packets away. Instead of sticking them in the bin, UK households have been told to reuse their old crisp packets to help keep their homes warmer this winter.

The innovative household tip means placing an empty crisp packet behind your radiator for 'simple yet effective' results. Heating expert Mark McShane, from Boiler Cover UK, explains that doing so will boost your radiator's efficiency, which means you won't have to have the heating on for as long AND it'll cost you less too.

Mark explained: "Placing a reflective material, such as an empty crisp packet, behind your radiators, you can bounce the heat back into your room instead of letting it escape through the walls. It's an easy, cost-effective way to make the most of your heating."

• To give this simple trick a go, cut your crisp packet so that it lays flat and then give it a good clean.
• Next, simply attach the crisp packet to the wall behind your radiator using double-sided tape and watch the trick work.
• The reflective surface will help direct more heat back into the room. This, in turn, helps you to feel warmer without increasing your energy usage.

It's the same method asusing aluminium foil or reflective panels - a tip that was previously shared by Martin Lewis.

He said that using these items behind your radiators will direct heat away from your walls and back into the room. A five metre sheet costs about £15.

Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has revealed how Britons can use an inexpensive item to dramatically cut heating bills this winter.

Speaking on his BBC Podcast, Mr Lewis previously advised that people should consider installing reflective panels behind radiators to redirect warmth back into the room instead of allowing it to pass through walls to the outside.

He explained: "A tip for you reflective panels behind radiators. Sheets of reflective material can be placed behind radiators. Crucially this is on external wall radiators so the heat doesn't escape. If you don't want to pay for those then tin foil can work although it doesn't work quite as well."

A 4-metre roll of radiator heat reflector foil is currently available at Screwfix for £6.38, reduced by 15 per cent. He also shared additional radiator advice.

He said: "If you've got radiators in rooms that you're not using, go and turn them off before you turn the heating on so you're not wasting cash overheating empty spaces. Changing the flow rate on your boiler can cut gas bill by over 9% and you won't notice the change."

Mr Lewis also urged people to steer clear of using a 'demon appliance' wherever possible. He said: "Do you know what the real 'demon appliance' is in most people's houses - the one that you don't want to use because it's really expensive.

"Tumble dryers. You're typically paying up to a quid per load so dry your clothes on an airer outside, to shorten the amount of time you're using your tumble dryer, or avoid using it completely. Those who have de-humidifiers those can take some of the moisture out of it. It's less wattage than a tumble dryer so it can be more cost effective."

Additional money-saving suggestions included: "Check your TV's on a low energy setting too and walk around your house. Be a draft detector - what drafts can you spot as you walk around your house? And then try, if you can, to seal them up."

During his BBC Sounds podcast, 5 Live listener Rob had noticed his flat becoming increasingly damp after attempting to air his laundry indoors. He enquired: "If I was to buy a dehumidifier, would it be cheaper than using the heating to keep the place dry?".

Martin responded: "Dehumidifiers take water out of the air rather than use the heating and they're much lower wattage appliances than standard heating. So if the dehumidifier works for you, it will definitely have lower electricity bills."